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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

About 3 or 4 years ago, on one of my mother's trips down to Texas to visit us, we were all out running errands; one stop being a shoe store. One or two of the kids needed some new summer sandals. Along came Miss Mabel showing me a very pretty pair that she picked out for herself. I admired them and complimented her on her taste and then mentioned, "I believe I have some shoes at home for you." To which her shoulders slumped and her face fell as she moaned quite loudly, "Not shoes from the attic!!"
I tried to stifle my laugh. My Mom, when I told her "shoes from the attic" were "nice" hand-me-downs in a bin up in the attic, tried very hard not to laugh. The sales lady smiled and walked away.

Poor Miss Mabel. In her lowly state, she had coined the best phrase ever...."shoes from the attic" (hand-me-down shoes).

Having three girls at the time, shoes from the attic were not some ancient, worn out, cracked shoes. They were shoes that were neatly packed in a bin up in the attic in very good condition. I would keep the good shoes and pass them on from one girl to the next.

I could feel her pain though. Being one of nine kids, the middle child, and the third daughter in a row, I totally understood the disappointment that sometimes came with having to wear hand-me-downs. Yet, that is life. Character building moments! I never met many girls who were not in that same situation, and many mothers I know today, including many of you, probably have a bin of shoes up in your own attics (or some basement) for your children.

Sadly for my pocketbook, I have found that after a certain age, (puberty), it is pointless to hold onto the shoes. Their growth spurts are so different from one another; from their heads down to their feet. Yet their excitement for wearing a pair of brand new shoes puts a big smile on my face as I step back and watch them unpack, lace up or strap, (and even take whiff) of those new shoes :) They are SO appreciative of the new shoes "from the store".

And the most beautiful picture on this post would be Miss Ester modeling the lovely T-shirt Shrug she made...

She was inspired by the craft idea in American Girl Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2011 issue. (They save their favorite issues.)
She purchased the T-shirts (2 for $5) at Michael's yesterday and followed the simple directions. Waa-Laa, the perfect shrug!

And for inside my house....

Our climate is too mild to have "winter" decorations up, and I never put up Easter decorations during Lent either. Just a personal thing; to each his own though, right?

I don't want my house to be "naked" either so I found some new items that have a little purple in them (purple for lent).

I love birds :)

(There's an acrylic bird on top of the bird cage. So cute!)

Just enough green and purple for March/ Lent & Texas springtime!

I found the pieces at Michael's. They were 40% off and I was able to use my "teacher" discount card (an additional 15% off!!)

Literature on the sacrament of Reconciliation and on Adoration as well as faith based material...

The Most Beautiful Thing in the World can be found here. It is a beautiful story about he sacrament of reconciliation. The Little Caterpillar That Finds Jesus can be found here. It is about time spent with Jesus in Adoration. My Path to Heaven: A Young Person's Guide to the Faith can be found here. My Catholic Lent and Easter Activity Book can be found here. Celebrating Lent can be found here.

Do we go through ALL THAT MATERIAL? No way, Jose. I just put the bin out and let them use what they need. We do, however, always meditate on the Stations of the Cross and will use our candles we made last year.

There's also some adult reading for myself and David ...

Ash Wednesday is on March 5 this year. Rather late, but that means Easter Sunday should be warm and sunny for us in Texas.

(I think little girls in sleeveless Easter dresses are so cute!)
Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday!

Me :: I think Clementine has been our most challenging child at this age.

David :: Yeah! And we have one foot in the grave! We are being punished for something.

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She speaks about herself in third person.

"Baby watch Windy Poo."

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We've encountered bedtime stall tactics much sooner with this one...

Me :: Good night, baby! (I start to close the door)

Clementine :: Baby no bed. Baby poo.

Me :: (After checking her diaper) No poo.

Clementine :: Baby no bed!

*We are trying to call her more by her name rather than 'baby' these days. We don't want a narcissistic child on our hands! ha ha ha!**************************Ester :: I don't think I like country music. (She meant to say modern country music.)

David :: Turn. in. your. boots!

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Me :: Ester, go get dressed for school.

Ester :: But, pajamas are my school uniform!

Me :: Go get dressed.

Ester :: Why? It's not like I'm going anywhere today.

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Stan and Sally arguing who does the most work between the two.

Stan :: Oh yeah!. Well Dad does the most work.....(long pause)......besides Mom.

There's a hot air balloon club about 15 miles away. I went outside to see these four flying over our house. It's actually a common site. Once, one landed on a field nearby and the kids were able to help the owner/pilot deflate the balloon. (It's similar to getting the air out of a pool float :)

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The kind of day that puts the "ugly" in winter. Gray, foggy, and damp.

I Am Thankful For...

Great friendships...near and far :)

I Am Thinking About...

* The crazy lunatic who had our subdivision scared to death and the nearby elementary school in lock down last Thursday. I am praying for this man...how sick and confused he must be to do what he did!!

* Flat Stanley has been our house guest for the past couple of weeks. Actually, it is Flat Stanley II since I gave the first one a tour of the kitchen trash can...hasn't been seen since. (That was embarrassing!)

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Hi All!

I'm suppose to tell you about myself here, so let's see...I love my faith, my family, the magic of the cocoa and coffee beans, margaritas and music, people watching and picture taking, and the sun that comes with living in the south. In my spare time, I am raising five kids and home schooling (and trying real hard to work on my patience and persistence!)